Koch bits:Former Mayor Ed Koch has been getting plenty of TV exposure as the Be Nice spokesperson for the Republican National Convention. I wish in my fourth run for mayor against David Dinkins Id had as many ads as I have now! he quipped. As for his take on the West Side stadium plan, Hizzoner said hes waiting until after the hearings conclude to weigh in. But he was openly skeptical New York City will land the Olympics, adding that with Europeans feelings toward us right now its even less likely. How about Bill Clintons new book? Koch said he may find it on a friends shelf and read it  but wont buy it, because he cant forgive Clinton  not for Monica Lewinsky, for the pardons. He did buy and read Hillary Clintons book. I really admire Bills intellect more than any politicians I have known, Koch said, but I cant believe he gave it all away by giving pardons to people who were the scum of the earth. As for Hillary, he said, Ill be supporting her for president when she runs in 2008.

Chico and the  oh, man! We were walking up Avenue A between 13th and 14th Sts. recently and noticed something was missing  Chicos 9/11 W.T.C. memorial mural. Turns out the mural has been covered over by a sort of mini-billboard screwed onto the wall, on top of which small posters have been pasted in a very orderly manner. Although these include the usual fare  for rock concerts and hair products  there are also a couple of posters for recycling from the citys Department of Sanitation, giving the impression this lil billboard is a legit moneymaker. A neighborhood guy around the corner at the new 99-cent store who claims to know Chico from way back, said he heard the legendary graffitist was working on a mural in China or L.A.  or possibly painting a plane for the military. Huh? Well, wherever Chico is, he probably wont be happy about this.

Armies of the bud: High Times magazine will hold a launch party for its special issue on the Republican National Convention protests on July 7 at Pioneer, 218 Bowery, at 7 p.m. The issue, on the stands July 5, is the most comprehensive guide to the protests anywhere, bragged executive editor John Mailer. This issue is exactly what independent media needs to be doing at this time in history, said Mailer, 26. This is a shout out to every college student who believes that George W. Bush isnt their president and wants to do something about it. Mailer said he and his dad, Norman, will be collaborating on something together in August related to the convention for another magazine.

Fire and brim-Poe: At the Rabbi, Reverend and Renegade talk at Angel Orensanz Foundation last Wednesday, Reverend Billy Talen waxed poetic recalling the spirituality of readings of Edgar Allan Poes The Raven while fighting New York Universitys demolition of the Poe House on W. Third St. a few years ago. N.Y.U. is a rogue administration of aggressive real estate interests. If they could, theyd try to turn this place into a dorm, Billy said of the historic Norfolk St. synagogue.

Development boom: Hudson Sq. development is booming  literally speaking. Part of a window from the 491-497 Greenwich St. residential building under construction crashed to the ground Tuesday. Jonathan Carroll, the developer of the building between Canal and Spring Sts., said workers purposefully pushed out the broken section of the window and made sure no passersby walked in the danger area during the removal. The 11-story building, designed by architect Winka Dubbledam, incorporates an existing building facade with a modern-angled glass window (one now broken) design, which makes up the rest of the building. The crash caused a minor stir on the block as some wondered how careful the workers were about warning people. I just heard a boom, said a construction worker at the adjacent site. After a call was placed by Scoopy, workers taped off the area to protect pedestrians.

Music and dining: As part of the Greenwich Village-Chelsea Chamber of Commerces partnership with the Greenwich Village Music Festival, they are creating a Chamber-Music Festival Discount program. About 15 of the Chambers member restaurants are offering special discounts or prix fixe meals before and after the concerts. A booklet featuring the restaurants and their offers will be handed out at each of the concerts.